The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-15
a QUEER STORY.
The Final Outcome Of the Ham
mersmith, Mystery.

The Final Outcome Of the Ham
mersmith. Mystery.
Mr.. Martin Stuckey had been prosper
Gus colonial merchant in his day, but at the
age of fifty-fve he encountered success
sion of misfortunes which ultimately landed
him in the Bankruptcy Court. When that
crisis was past he went to live in a small
house at Hammersmith with his wife, his
Younger son, Ephraim, and one servant.
Not long after his wife died, and this last
blow reduced the old man to a complete
wreck. He became childish, and lost his
memory so completely that he had no recol-
lection Of ordinary events from day TO day,
which was, perhaps, q merclful DISPENSE
ton OF Providence after all.
Ephraim Stuckey was now the master Of
the house, though the house itself belonged
20 the father, having been purchased with
some money Of Mrs. Stuckey's. Ephraim
was stockbroker in small way of busi-
ness, which might have been larger if
Ephraim himself had been fonder of work,
and had combined little more greediness
for the commissions of clients with a little
less faith in grand speculative coups or his
own account. He was addicted to grumO-
Jung at the hardships of his lot, and more
particularly at the burden Of keeping 1.-The
old man." as he called his father. This,
however, was as unreasonable as it was I'M
dutiful, for not only was Ephraim living rent
free in his fathers house, but old Mr.. Stuck
ey's maintenance was fully provided for
by the elder son, Alfred. Alfred, in his
fathers palmy days, had been put into the
church. He was now curate in D Midland
County parish on princely stipend of EGO
a year, out of which he contributed 950 a
year to his fathers support-quite enough
to leave a margin of profit for Ephraim.
II any one, therefore, had reason to grum-
BILE at the prolongation of the fathers life
II was Alfred. Ii must be mentioned, how
ever, that there was one small expectation
for both the sons upon their fathers death.
Martin Stuckey's life had been insured in
better days for e3,000 and the premiums
upon the policy had been kept up by the
Joint contributions OF the two young men.
But Mr.. Stuckey showed no immediate
Likelihood of enabling his sons to realize
this investment. Since the breakdown of
his mind his bodily health had much i'm
proved, as not unfrequently happens in such
cases, and his mental incapacity was not of
q kind to cause anxiety. There had been at
one time question between the brothers
about providing him with an attendant,
but Ephraim was opposed to unnecessary
expense, and pointed out that the old gen.
tleman never left the house unless by in
vitation, and that, while within doors, he
was perfectly under the control OF those
about him, including even the one maid
servant of the establishments trust
worthy young woman, who had been with
the family for some years. The truth was
that the old gentleman was so submissive
that, if so ordered, he would remain in one
room for hours together, and under these
circumstances it really seemed that Eph-
rain and the maid were quite capable of
looking after him. This idea, however,
turned out to be erroneous.
Rev. Alfred Stuckey did not often visit
London, but when he did so he always en-
deavored to spend a day with his father.
On such occasions he would generally take
the old gentleman out with him for the day,
protesting to think that he was too much
confined to the house. One dav. about the
middle Of October, Ephraim Stuckey in
formed the maid-servant that his brother
was coming TO town, and added that, if
Alfred should take his father out. as he
holiday.
In due course Rev. Alfred arrived and,
after spendinga night at the house, he said
that he would take his father by steamboat
TO Richmond for the day. The maid was
accordingly informed that she could have
her promised holiday. Then, however, a
difficulty arose. The girl wished to go some
distance and could not be back before eight
81 -. ~.
other hand, had no intention Of keeping his
father out till that hour, and besides this,
he had to return that night to his parish,
for which purpose he must leave ST. Pan
cras station at about seven o'clock. Who.
then, was to take charge of old Mr.. Stuckey
in the intervall
81 dare say 1 can get home" said Eph-
rain. "What time will you returnl"
''That depends on father. Not later than
five O'clock in any case. As have to be at
st. Pancras by seven l shall leave here
before $50"
Il think can manage to be back by that
time said Ephraim, land there is no harm
in leaving the governor for half an hour by
himself. If am not here when you return
put him into that armchair. give him his
pipe and tell him in your most impressive
VOICE ludt nC 10 nOl W SNAE Ou any account
till come in"
''Are you sure that he will be all rightr
Perfectly He would not move if tht
house was on fire.
With this understanding the parties sep
arated.
1t was between $40 and nine o. m. on tn,
same day when Mr.. Ephraim Stuckey pre-
scented himself at Hammersmith Polio,
Station and asked for assistance He mad,
al the same time a statement from which
iuaddition TO the above facts, it appeared
that in consequence of business unex
pectedly OBTAINING him in town, he had no
reached home until close upon seven O'Clock
He then found no trace of his father or o
his brother and, after waiting forthe return
Of the servant and making inquiries abou
The neighborhood. he had come to the con
ciusion that on being left alone his fathe
had for the first time on record, taken i
into his head to go out by himself, and has
either lost himself or met with some wors
uischancc.
Subsequent events confirmed the latte